SENIOR-LEVEL PROFESSOR IN ETHNIC AND RACE STUDIES, CALifornia Lutheran University

Senior-level Professor - Ethnic and Race Studies

Position Category: Faculty

FLSA: Exempt

FTE: .75

Location: Thousand Oaks

University Background:

Basic Function: 

The Ethnic and Race Studies (ERS ) Program at California Lutheran University (Cal Lutheran) seeks to hire at the associate or full professor level to develop and direct new major, minor and certificate programs in Ethnic and Race Studies starting fall of 2020. Successful candidates will have a Ph.D. in a social science or humanities field with expertise in race and ethnic studies, and be committed to teaching, research, and service at a liberal arts university that is a Hispanic Serving and McNair institution. Successful candidates will provide evidence of excellence in teaching and advising of undergraduate students. In addition to formal teaching and course development experience, evidence of a strong commitment to developing a research program involving undergraduate students and previous mentoring of undergraduate research projects is highly sought.

The new ERS program at Cal Lutheran is academically rigorous, methodologically inclusive, interdisciplinary, and seeks to promote co-curricular learning on campus and in the surrounding communities. The ERS program specializes in multicultural learning experiences and social justice projects that involve and engage local communities. In collaboration with other College departments, the Center for Equality and Justice and Hispanic-Serving Institute Initiatives, the ERS program promotes innovative student and faculty research in national and transnational contexts in and around Cal Lutheran.

A full-teaching load is usually three courses per academic semester and six per academic year. Primary teaching responsibilities will likely include the development of the following courses: Introduction to Ethnic and Race Studies and the program's capstone/field work. Additional opportunities to develop new courses and to teach in other departments will be based on the successful candidate's expertise and interest. It is essential that candidates possess the ability or potential to teach, advise, and mentor undergraduate students, particularly those from diverse, minoritized, and underserved backgrounds. Candidates must also demonstrate an interest and ability to develop co-curricular programing to promote deeper understanding of racial and ethnic diversities and intersectionality on campus and in the community. Applicants with research interests utilizing interdisciplinary content are strongly encouraged to apply.

Representative Duties:

• Provide academic instruction to students through lecture courses. Create assignments and activities in one-on-one, classroom, and distance mediated instructional settings for development of cognitive abilities, communication skills, and higher order thinking skills among students. (E)
  
• Observe and evaluate student performance in meeting course objectives and student learning outcomes through assignments, projects, discussions, and examinations; provide feedback in a timely manner to student inquiries in class, online, or during established consultation office hours. (E)
  
• Maintain current, accurate records of course enrollment, attendance, student academic progress, course curriculum; prepare and submit grades, data, and reports related to course and student progress in a timely manner. (E)
  
• Provide a course syllabus to students in each class within the first week of the class, as outlined in the faculty handbook. (E)
  
• Adhere to the responsibilities related to teaching, advising, service, and scholarly, professional and creative activities, as outlined in the faculty handbook. (E)
  
• Attend and participate on committees and in department, division, campus, and University meetings. (E)
  
• Performs related duties as assigned.

E=Essential Duties

Knowledge Of:

• Current theory and practice within the subject discipline
  
• Principles and best practices of effective teaching
  
• Student learning outcomes and methods of assessment
  
• University curricula
  
• Community and campus resources, services, programs, and professionals available to students
  
• Methods of gathering, analyzing, and preparing data
  
• Modern computing technology
  
• Record keeping techniques with regard to student enrollment, attendance, and progress

Ability To:

• Demonstrate a thorough and accurate knowledge in the subject field or discipline
• Deliver course curricula in various learning styles
• Exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, social, economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of University students.
• Exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of the needs of students with disabilities.
• Integrate current and emerging instructional delivery technologies into the learning process to enhance teaching and the educational experience
• Maintain professional standards that protect student confidentiality
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing using tact, patience, and courtesy
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action
• Demonstrate commitment to professional excellence and continuous growth within subject field or discipline

Minimum Qualifications:

Eligible applicants must have a Ph.D. officially conferred by an accredited, degree-granting university.

Eligible applicants for this position include: U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents (holders of a Permanent Resident Card), foreigners currently holding work eligible visas (H—1B), individuals granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (depending on the status of this program at the time of application), political asylees, and refugees. The Cal Lutheran College of Arts and Sciences values diversity in all forms, including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, and sexual orientation.
ABD accepted and would be hired at Instructor level until acquired.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preference will be given to candidates with a degree in Ethnic Studies or a related field in the social sciences or humanities with a focus on race/ethnic studies. The application must be written in (or translated into) English.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

None

Posting Number: Faculty000102019

Desired Start Date: 08/24/2020

Open Date: 09/30/2019

Close Date: 11/1/2019

Open Until Filled: No

Application Procedure/Special Instructions:

Evaluation Criteria:

Candidates will be assessed based on the following criteria:

1. Demonstrated experience or potential to effectively teach courses related ethnic and race studies;
   
2. Experience with, or knowledge and understanding of mentoring and engaging undergraduate students (inside and outside of the classroom), particularly those from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds;
   
3. Evidence of, or potential for both producing scholarship and sustaining an active research agenda;
   
4. Commitment to a liberal arts education and in service to the mission of the University and College of Arts & Sciences;
   
5. Demonstrated leadership experience or potential to develop co-curricular programing that complements academic coursework in race and ethnicity.

Required Materials:

• Cover Letter: A 1-2 page letter that addresses first the candidate’s teaching and research in relation to ethnic and race studies, and second, why Cal Lutheran’s program is a good place to pursue their teaching, research, and other professional aspirations. Lastly, the letter should address the candidate’s leadership experience in higher education and in their community and briefly describe how the candidate’s experiences will further the HSI and McNair designations of the university and the unique needs of underrepresented students.
• Diversity and Teaching Statement: This 2-3 page statement should first address the candidate’s philosophy of and commitment to teaching and diversity. The statement should discuss teaching and diversity with respect to mentoring and engaging students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, adapting teaching methods to the needs of underrepresented ethnic minority students and first generation college students, and any experience with and/or interest in mentoring student research. Second, the statement should briefly describe the candidate’s research and/or creative works completed and their future agenda.
• Curriculum Vitae: A comprehensive resume of professional and educational qualifications.
• Reference Letters: Three reference letters specifically addressing whether the candidate has the experiences, dispositions, and abilities to work with underrepresented and/or first generation students.

A committee of scholars selected by the University will evaluate the candidates in consultation with the College department faculty best able to evaluate the applicant’s expertise. The search committee will use academic records, essays, letters of recommendation, standardized application forms, and other appropriate materials as the basis for determining the extent to which candidates meet the eligibility requirements and serve the mission of the Department and University.

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/1655292

California Lutheran University is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment for all persons, regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable law. No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any program, activity or facility of the University on the basis of these factors in a manner consistent with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, ordinances, orders and rules, and University’s policies, procedures, and processes.

Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process can be provided to individuals with qualifying disabilities. Please contact the Human Resources Department for further information or to request an accommodation.